70-200 2.8 AND F4is - a crazy idea?

futureal33

futureal33

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Hi all,

I've been pondering over this for sometime now, the typical 'which 70-200 do I get' lens debate!

My current thinking is that I want f2.8 for the DoF advantages, I have seenu own comparisons of f2.8 vs f4 and I prefer the 2.8 images everytime.

But as we all know, a 2.8 weighs twice as much!

So....

I'm thinking get a Canon f4L IS as my 'walk-around' zoom, which I use most of the time. And also get a much cheaper, Sigma 70-200 f2.8 for those instances where I want/need f2.8
I can't afford both Canon 70-200 versions, and as much as I'd love the new Canon 70-200 2.8 IS mk2, I know the weight would annoy me on days out where photography wasn't the main aim of the day (zoo visits as a rough example) and I would wish I had an f4 for the weight saving!

What are your thoughts?
 
I agree with Neil.

When you first pick the 70-200mm up it feels heavy - but you soon get used to the weight and size of it.
 
I had both IS versions for a short while and ended up with the f4 due mainly to the weight of it. It is a lens I am using more and more, and having recently added a grip to my 5d I am not finding that weight is an issue.
However, I am currently trying to work out just how to raise the funds for the f2.8 IS - I have recently really needed the extra stop and the weight I will just have to get used to.

Does that help in any way ?
 
The thing is, I don't need the extra stop for light reasons, it is mainly down to the effect you get at f2.8 which is much more pleasing (IMO) than at f4.
When the background is far enough away, f2.8, 4 and no doubt many more apertures would give similar if not the same result, but for those pictures where the background isn't so far behind the subject, f2.8 just throws it OOF better than f4 does.

I know the f2.8 can be handheld...but for a hobbyist who takes his camera everywhere with him, I just think I would always reach for the f4 because of the weight. But there would definitely be situations I wished I had f2.8!
 
Why not get the canon f/4 non IS and get the canon 2.8 non IS. These would be roughly the same price as the f/4 IS and sigma 2.8 wouldn’t they?

I have the canon f/4 non is and love it. Don’t really miss the IS on it…
 
Get the 2.8IS and carry it in a Lowepro Toploader Pro 75AW, that's what I use when I use that combo on it's own. In and out the bag when needed and no stiff neck.
 
You will always want the 2.8IS even if you have the other 2 lenses you will wish you had the other.

Weight when you first use it does feel like an issue half a day shooting and my arm was falling off at first I even used it on a monopod, I can now hand hold that thing all day no problem. I am now working on the 300mm 2.8IS so many say thats hand holdable, yeah right.
 
curiousanderson said:
Why not get the canon f/4 non IS and get the canon 2.8 non IS. These would be roughly the same price as the f/4 IS and sigma 2.8 wouldn’t they?

I have the canon f/4 non is and love it. Don’t really miss the IS on it…
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Or perhaps get the f/4 IS and the old 80-200 2.8? I'v seen the latter for around £500 used a few times and the general opinion seems to be its near to the modern 2.8's in IQ. That way you've got the F/4 as a light walkaround lens with IS when needed and the 2.8 to use when your not traveling far and can take a tripod if needed.
 
Echo the point about a good strap.

The canon one supplied with the cam is useless for heavy lenses - I use an optech strap and because they stretch a little it really takes the discomfort off your shoulder
 
I had the non-IS f4 and then got the IS f2.8, I planned to keep the f4 for days when I wanted to travel light. However I like the f2.8 and the images it produces so much more that it has always seemed worth the extra weight, eventually after six month not using it I sold the f4 and have never regretted it. I regulary carry the f2.8 all day on a Black Rapid strap and it is always worth having.
 
70-200L 4 IS plus 135L 2?
 
I use my 70-200 f/2.8 L IS USM II as my walk around lens on my 1D MK IV most of the time and have no issue with it on my sun sniper DPH double harness. It's normally paired with the gripped 50d fitted with the 100 macro and ring flash on the other side. The longest time to date is 6 hours without huge discomfort.

I definitely wouldn't want it slung round my neck for any length of time though, even with an Optech strap.
 
Buying two lenses of the same zoom range seems a bit daft to me. Just get the 2.8 and save the money for something else. I only know the Nikon version, but it really is not heavy.You`d soon get used to the supposed weight.........:thumbs:
 
Save the money and spend it on gym membership, you wuss. ;)
 
Just get the 2.8IS II - because you'll always be thinking of it when you have the f4, and soon you'll want to upgrade or buy one. So you save time and money in the long run.
 
Got myself a sling strap on it's way to wear diagonally across my body, hopefully this will make carrying it easier. I also have a lowepro toploader, so have the boast of best worlds

I'm definitely leaning towards the 70-200 2.8 is ii, going to jessops Manchester tomorrow to hopefully buy it.

Has anyone got any experience of making jessops stores match their website prices? As it's £100 cheaper - but says 'online prices won't be matched in stores' - is that 100% set in stone or can they be swung?
 
fracster said:
Did you have one Dean?

Was it a sharp copy?

;)
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It's an incredibly overrated lens. The f4 IS, however, kicks ass.
 
The23rdman said:
It's an incredibly overrated lens. The f4 IS, however, kicks ass.
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Sorry, I meant the 2.8 is mark I is overrated.
 
neil_g said:
i know i always bang on about this but if my OH can hand hold a 2.8 all day at events im sure everyone else can :D
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Is your OH one of these?;)

Seriously though I agree with Neil. with the right strap the weight shouldn't be a problem.

I frequently have 2 gripped bodies with one of the lenses nearly always a 70-200 2.8 for many hours without any issue.
 
People assume that the weight issue is purely to do with carrying it on camera using a shoulder strap. For me, it isn't. It's about lugging around a heavy 70-200 when I'll be shooting mainly either a 17-40 or 24-105 with the occasional need for a 70-200.
 
futureal33 said:
Has anyone got any experience of making jessops stores match their website prices? As it's £100 cheaper - but says 'online prices won't be matched in stores' - is that 100% set in stone or can they be swung?
Click to expand...

Can you order online and collect in store?
 
arad85 said:
People assume that the weight issue is purely to do with carrying it on camera using a shoulder strap. For me, it isn't. It's about lugging around a heavy 70-200 when I'll be shooting mainly either a 17-40 or 24-105 with the occasional need for a 70-200.
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Thats a very good point. I'd soon tire of taking 1500g of 70-200 out 'just in case' I needed it, while mainly shooting with my 28-75mm....
 
neil_g said:
seriously the 2.8 isnt that heavy, just get that.
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i guess it's a matter of opinion, I think it's weight is a major disadvantage and do find it that heavy.

If I owned it, it would leave on the shelf just like the 24-70 did for the same reason I sold it :D
 
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Personally the weight wouldn't bother me...I've recently bought the sigma OS version, and it weighs less than 100grams less than the canon L equivalent...honestly u'll get used to the weight in no time...and having considered the non OS version prior to purchasing, I'm glad I got the "best one"...if you buy f4 like u say you will always want 2.8...and the IS again is something you'll wish you'd bought if you don't buy it now
 
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